Annual Review 1986
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- _~~~__ Unilever in 1986 ANNUAL REPORT AND SALIENT FIGURES ESC,LI4H \-tKSIOS IS GPILL)F.KS UNILEVER N.V. ANNUAL REPORT 1986 AND SALIENT FIGURES Contents Paw Unilever 2 Financial highlights 3 The Board 4 Foreword 5 Directors’ report - general - review by regions 1: - review by operations 14 - other subiects 26 Salient figures 31 Capital and listing 39 Dates for dividend and interest payments 39 Financial publications 40 Introduction The first part of this booklet comprises an English translation of the Unilever N.V. Directors’ Report for 1986. The second part, entitled Salient Figures’, contains extracts from the combined consolidated annual accounts 1986 of Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC, comparative figures for earlier years, and further information of interest to shareholders. The currency figures given in this booklet are expressed in guilders and are for N.V. and PLC combined, except where stated otherwise. The complete Unilever N.V. annual accounts for 1986, together with the auditors’ report thereon and some additional information, are contained in a separate publication in Dutch, which is also available in an English translation entitled ‘Unilever in 1986, Annual Accounts’. That booklet comprises the annual accounts expressed in guilders of N.V. and the N.V. Group, the PLC Group, and the combined N.V. and PLC Groups. The original Dutch versions of the two booklets mentioned above, together where necessary with the Chesebrough-Pond’s Inc. Consolidated Financial Statements for 1986, comprise the complete annual report and accounts and further statutory information, drawn up in accordance with Dutch legislation. There are also English versions of both booklets issued by Unilever PLC with currency figures in pounds sterling. In addition an English version of this booklet is available, with currency figures translated into US dollars. For further information about the various booklets and where these can be obtained, see page 40. The Unilever group of companies is one of the world’s largest businesses employing some 300 000 people and providing a wide range of products and services in some 75 countries. There are two parent companies: Unilever N.V., Rotterdam, and Unilever PLC, London. These companies operate as nearly as is practicable as a single entity, have identical Boards of Directors and are linked by a series of agreements of which the principal is the Equalisation Agreement. Among other things, this Agreement equalises the dividends payable on the ordinary capitals of N.V. and PLC according to a formula set out in the Agreement. As a consequence, the combined affairs of N.V. and PLC are more important to shareholders than those of the two separate parent companies and this review accordingly deals with the operations and results of Unilever as a whole. The larger part of Unilever’s business is in branded and packaged consumer goods such as washing powders, margarines, personal products and a wide range of frozen and other foods and drinks. Unilever’s other activities include speciality chemicals, agribusiness operations, including plantations and animal feeds, and medical products. In addition, there are merchandising and service operations conducted in tropical Africa and the Arabian Gulf. Results FI. million Turnover 66771 55363 Operating profit 3797 3632 Profit before taxation 3814 3694 Profit after taxation 2223 2265 Profit attributable to shareholders 2064 2 144 Ordinary dividends (718) (751) Profit of the year retained 1330 1377 Earnings per share a) Guilders per FI. 20 of capital 36.79 38.22 Pence per 25p of capital 137.96 177.55 Ordinary dividends N.V.: Guilders per FI. 20 of capital 14.82 15.33 PLC: Pence per 25p of capital 38.62 51.16 O/O O/O Operating margin “) 5.7 6.6 Return on capital employed “1 10.5 11.3 Return on shareholders’ equity “) 15.5 17.8 a) For method of calculation see notes on page 37 THE BOARD M. R. Angus Directors of N.V. and PLC Advisory Directors of N.V. and PLC F. A. Maljers 6. W. Biesheuvel Chairman N. V. T. Browaldh Vice-Chairman PLC Fletcher L. Byrom Sir Robert Haslam M. R. Angus A. Herrhausen Chairman PLC The Rt. Hon. the Lord Hunt of Tanworth Vice-Chairman N. V. Francois-Xavier Ortoli D. Spethmann Sir Geoffrey Allen E. P. Wellenstein R. W. Archer M. Dowdall Secretaries of N.V. and PLC P. V. M. Egan D. C. Buijs H. Eggerstedt S. G. Williams J. P. Erbe (Vice-Chairman N. V.) W. K. Grubman Auditors of N.V. M. G. Heron Price Waterhouse Nederland J. A. Houtzager Coopers & Lybrand Nederland H. Meij M. S. Perry Auditors of PLC G. K. G. Stevens Coopers & Lybrand M. Tabaksblat Price Waterhouse T. Thomas K. H. Veldhuis E. J. Verloop This list contains the names of all the Directors In office both at 31st December, 1986, and at the date of slgnmg the Report and Accounts 31st March, 1987 Sir Kenneth Durham retired at the Annual General Meetings In 1986 FOREWORD 1986 has been a year of very good progress. We are particularly encouraged by the general improvement in performance in almost all sectors of the business, which is clearly reflected in a growth of 21% in earnings per share at constant exchange rates. Once again the impact of our results will vary with the currency in which the accounts are stated. In sterling and US dollars our earnings rose by an even better 29% and 31% respectively. On the other hand, in guilders the growth was a seemingly modest 40/o, because of the major strengthening of this currency. There has been considerable progress in the year towards achieving our strategic objectives. Our core activities have been further strengthened by acquisitions and by rigorous attention to efficiency and innovation. Most of the companies with no place in our future strategy have now been sold. Restructuring has been costly, but as a result the profitability of the business is much improved and more securely based. Our planned investment in strengthening our position in the United States has continued and has brought about significant increases in market share. We are now materially stronger in one of the world’s most important and competitive markets. Our sales value in 1986 is much affected by divestments. These obscure the fact that our underlying business has grown appreciably during the year and that volume has increased by a noteworthy 5%. The highlight of 1986 was the acquisition of Chesebrough-Pond’s at the end of the year. We have long declared that an increased presence in the United States by means of a major acquisition was a fundamental strategic aim. With Chesebrough-Pond’s we achieve this and at the same time strengthen our profitable personal products business worldwide. A number of other acquisitions were also completed, all in our core product areas. Of these the purchase of Naarden International was also of global importance and will double the size of our international fragrances and flavours business. The Company is now well placed for further profitable growth and is better equipped to face the competitive challenge. We shall continue to concentrate our resources on those businesses in which we have the necessary skills to compete effectively. However, there are external factors which could impede our progress. The long overdue measures recently taken by the European Community to reduce excess milk production and eventually butter stocks are welcome. To our dismay however came the subsequent proposal for a new levy on oils and fats. This would create yet another arbitrary distortion in one of our principal markets, as well as levying an unwarranted impost on the consumer. We strongly oppose this measure. The tempo of activity seen in the business in recent years has made special demands on our personnel - particularly our management. They have splendidly risen to the challenge and we would like to pay tribute to all their hard work and effort. M. R. Angus F. A. Maljers Chairman Unilever PLC Chairman Unilever N.V. Vice-Chairman Unilever N.V. Vice-Chairman Unilever PLC costs are included in the total exceptional Results items charge of FL 221 million (1985: FI. 137 million). In the United States we continued to gain market share but the heavy investment in promoting both established The reported financial results of 1986 have and new products held back the increase been much influenced by the differing in dollar operating profit to 7%. In the rest strengths of our two reporting currencies, of the world we had an excellent year with the pound sterling and the guilder. Whilst operating profit at constant exchange ‘A fundamentally most European currencies appreciated rates up by 20%. strong result’ substantially against sterling, the guilder remained one of the world’s strongest Our 1984 results contained an currencies. extraordinary provision of FI. 356 million for losses consequent on the decision to A fundamentally strong 1986 result withdraw from certain activities. Most of throughout the world therefore became an the businesses concerned have now been excellent one when expressed in sterling, sold and the provision made in 1984 is with operating profit and profit attributable proving to be adequate. respectively 18% and 29% better than 1985. The same result expressed in guilders showed a 4% decline in operating profit and only a modest 4% increase in profit attributable. When expressed in US dollars the trend is similar to sterling with increases of 2 1% and 3 1%. In Europe improving results continued to flow from our policy of concentrating on core activities. Operating profit at constant exchange rates improved by 6% despite substantial restructuring costs. The major Earnings and dividends per share Guilders per FL 20 of capital Pence per 25p of capital 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 DIRECTORS’ REPORT ~ The acquisition of Chesebrough-Pond’s has brought with it brand names which are famous in the United States and throughout the world.